MAINE — Two major Maine health agencies have recently announced separate decisions to end the masking requirement in certain circumstances. Beginning May 1, 2023, care team members, patients, visitors and others entering MaineHealth facilities will no longer be required to mask in the healthcare system’s hospitals or clinics. Similarly, Maine EMS announced to its members on April 25 that after review, mandatory masking will be removed from some patient encounters; however, there are certain situations and circumstances where masking remains mandatory.

This includes Pen Bay Medical Center, Waldo County General Hospital, the Knox Center, and Quarry Hill.

“As we continue to respond to and evolve through the COVID-19 Pandemic, the MDPB and Maine EMS have been closely following the practices initiated at the very beginning of the pandemic response,” said Maine EMS. “As case numbers wane and as other protective measures are increasingly available, the healthcare system has begun to reassess the need for uniform masking in all patient encounters. Based on the current state of the pandemic both locally and nationally, as well as changes in the masking practices initiated by Maine hospitals, Maine EMS believes it is safe to consider removing mandatory masking from some patient encounters; however, there are certain situations and circumstances where masking remains mandatory.”

Those circumstances include:

Patients with Symptoms of COVID-19, including Acute Respiratory Symptoms, Vomiting, Diarrhea, and Fevers.

When preforming aerosol-generating procedures. During these events, EMS clinicians should assume the highest-level precautions.

Immunocompromised Patients

Known COVID-19 Patients

During Local Outbreaks of Infectious Respiratory Diseases (e.g., COVID-19) – Maine EMS and the MDPB encourage EMS Agencies and system leaders to resume uniform masking locally should outbreaks develop within the agency’s response area. The pandemic has demonstrated the benefit of non-pharmacologic measures such as masking, and these measures should be reassumed should local outbreaks occur.

Patient/Family Preference – some patients may have pre-existing medical conditions which place them at risk if they were to contract COVID-19. If patients/family request that EMS clinicians wear masks, this request must be honored. If patients and/or family are masked on scene, EMS clinicians are expected to mirror that behavior with masking.

Local EMS Leadership Decisions – there may be conditions within the local community, short of local outbreaks, which prompt EMS Agency Leadership to resume uniform masking. Maine EMS is supportive of local EMS Leadership as they respond to local conditions.

“Please recall, under these circumstance, EMS Clinicians should also mask patients,” said Maine EMS, in a news release. 

The MaineHealth system stresses several key points:

-Anyone may choose to mask at their discretion.

-Masks will be available for those who choose to mask.

-Patients should ask their care team members to mask for face-to-face encounters if they wish them to do so.

-Masks will still be required in areas and circumstances where appropriate; standard and transmission-based precautions must be followed, including interactions with COVID-positive patients.

“Masking has been invaluable in preventing transmission of various illnesses, and we encourage everyone who is experiencing respiratory symptoms to stay home or, at the very least, mask,” said Dr. Dora Anne Mills, MaineHealth Chief Health Improvement Officer, in a news release.” We will have masks available for all who wish to use them. We believe that this change will be very beneficial to communications between our care team members and our patients, and will overall help with our provision of care at all levels.”

MaineHealth is making these changes in light of evolving epidemiologic trends, the published scientific evidence and what they have learned from the experience of other hospitals nationally. As with all changes, MaineHealth will monitor impact and respond appropriately in order to keep our patients, care team members, and communities safe.

About MaineHealth:

MaineHealth is a not-for-profit integrated health system whose vision is “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America.” It consists of nine local health systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and 1,700 employed providers working together through the MaineHealth Medical Group. With approximately 22,000 employees, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. It includes Franklin Memorial Hospital/Franklin Community Health Network in Farmington, LincolnHealth in Damariscotta and Boothbay Harbor, Maine Behavioral Healthcare in South Portland, MaineHealth Care at Home in Saco, Maine Medical Center in Portland, Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., Mid Coast-Parkview Health in Brunswick, NorDx in Scarborough, Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital in Rockport and Belfast, Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford and Sanford, Spring Harbor Hospital in Westbrook and Stephens Memorial Hospital/Western Maine Health Care in Norway. MaineHealth Affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville, New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland and St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland.